e of boats only take shelter in their harbour.
His doubt, therefore, was whether he should remain to wait for their
arrival, or go in search of them. He did not, on his return, bring up,
but, after remaining for a short time under way, he again put to sea and
stood to the southward. A bright look-out was kept for the boats, as
also for the schooner they had chased, for it was thought possible that,
finding bad weather coming on, they might have remained on board. The
island where they actually were at the time was sighted, but no signal
being made from it, he stood on. He then visited several islands
farther to the south, on which he thought it possible they might have
landed.

Towards evening the _Dragon_ came off a small island, the character of
the scenery being similar to that of those in the neighbourhood. As she
approached the coast, a vessel was sighted on shore with her masts gone,
and it was very evident that she was a complete wreck.

"Should any of the people have escaped, we must do our best to help
them," observed Jack to Mildmay, as they stood looking at the wreck
through their glasses.

"I am afraid there is very little chance of that," answered Mildmay;
"but if they should have reached the shore alive, the natives are nearly
sure to have clubbed them."

"We shall soon ascertain the state of the case," said Jack; "in all
probability she was cast away during the gale last night, and we may
still be in time to rescue any who have remained on board."

The _Dragon_ stood on, with the lead going, as close as it was prudent
to venture, when her head was put round, and a boat was sent away under
charge of Mr Large, who was directed to board the wreck if he could,
but on no account to venture on shore should any considerable number of
natives make their appearance. The boat pulled away, first making for
the wreck; the boatswain's proceedings were watched from the deck with
great interest. He first visited the wreck, and after he had been some
time on board, he was seen with the assistance of his men lowering a
person into the boat. He then pulled for the shore, but just as he
reached the beach, a number of savages rushed out from among the trees,
and sent a flight of arrows at their visitors. He immediately pulled
away, and came back at a rapid rate to the ship.

"Two of the men are hit, sir, I am afraid," he said, as he came on deck;
"and an arrow has gone through the arm of the poor fellow we too